UAE – Under the patronage and presence of Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Musallam Bin Ham Al Ameri, Deputy Secretary General of IIMSAM, the intergovernmental observer to UN ECOSOC, and in cooperation with the Gandhi Global Family (GGF), a peace conference was hosted at the Royal Rose Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, under the theme ‘The UAE is a Model for Peaceful Coexistence’.

The conference was attended by Padmashri Dr. S. P. Varma, Vice President of GGF, and Ashok Kapoor, GGF Spokesperson.

In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Bin Ham praised the UAE’s unique experience in establishing peace as a true value in human life, supporting development in various fields, and creating a model of peaceful coexistence among societies that transcends race, colour or religion.

These values have been rooted by our wise leaders since the foundation of the UAE. His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah have mercy on him, who laid the foundations for a country of peace, security, and coexistence, is famously quoted as saying, “We seek peace, respect the right of neighborliness and protect the friend”. Still firmly believed, these values remain the light for our relations with other nations, and help with the process of development.

His Excellency also said, “Peace and coexistence in the UAE are a reality, by all measures. In our country, there are citizens of more than 200 nationalities, and they live in peace and harmony, benefiting from the overall development witnessed by the nation. This, in turn, reflects on safety and security – the UAE is ranked as the fourth safest country in the world – proof that our leadership works hard to consolidate and develop through laws and regulations aimed at ensuring the UAE remains one of the most successful models of peaceful coexistence”.

“The UAE government’s decision last year to establish a Ministry of Tolerance further encourages the principles of tolerance, moderation, stability, peaceful coexistence and respect for diversity, which demonstrates the leadership’s keenness to promote the value of peace in society” Bin Ham said.

Sheikh Dr. Bin Ham continued: “At IIMSAM, we are also working on the United Nations sustainable development goals 2015-2030. The most important goals remain eradicating poverty and hunger, but we also focus on spreading peace in the developing and least-developed countries of the world. Our centres are spread across Africa, Asia, Mexico and Haiti. We continue to focus on humanitarian needs in various parts of the world, including humanitarian relief and the response to natural disasters.”

GGF Vice President, Padmashri Dr. S. P. Varma, while addressing the gathering, reached out to the people of the UAE to exemplify the peaceful coexistence in the nation as a model for the world. “It is our duty to spread these values of peace propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, as seeds to flower into harmony even if they are trampled by conflict or war” He quotes the words of Gandhi, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”. He also appreciated the efforts of Sheikh Dr. Bin Ham for contributing to the peaceful development of Abu Dhabi under the guidelines of the late ruler His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and UAE leaders today.

While speaking on peace being a must for economic development globally, GGF Spokesperson Ashok Kapoor notes the welfare and growth of the diverse people of the UAE as an example to learn from, to achieve peaceful development and happiness across the globe.